What to do when a death occurs

When a death occurs, the family has many decisions to make and is required to provide certain information in order to proceed with making funeral arrangements.

• They should contact the funeral home and arrange to meet with funeral director.
• They should be prepared to provide vital statistics and documents including birth certificate, proof of marriage, social insurance number, family history. 
• They will also be required to make decisions or provide information regarding visitation, location of funeral, casket and/or urn, cemetery arrangements, post funeral reception, clothing for the deceased.

For their part, the funeral home can provide: 

• Funeral directors available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• All aspects of the funeral process including transfer from the place of death, caring and preparation of the deceased.
• Meet with family members to discuss funeral arrangement, as well as completing and filing of all necessary documents including cremation application, coroner’s certificate, Canada Pension Plan death benefit and survivor’s pension, statement of death, obituaries, etc.
• Coordinate with clergy, fraternal organizations, cemetery and/or crematorium, caterer.
• Provide staff during visitations to greet your family and friends, accept and process memorial donations and professionally direct the funeral celebration either at the funeral home, church or graveside.